Theater Review: Main Street Players continues season at Clock Tower

Main Street Players have successfully staged their season in a new venue and are drawing good audiences. The Community Center in Belvidere is still being renovated, and the Clock Tower Resort has provided a suitable performance space.

The current production, Let’s Murder Marsha, was chosen by Ronn Gordon, the director, for its fit in the Clock Tower space and as a “Mystery Comedy,” an audience pleaser. The cast includes Amber Litteken (Marsha), Keith Burritt (Tobias), Julie Boggie (Bianca), Amanda Krumrei (Persis), Dawn Stroup (Lynette), Bill Stinde (Virgil) and Ronn Gordon (Ben Quade). Gordon finds his cast “first rate” and gives them credit for their performances.

The small stage at the Clock Tower is well decorated, and many of the actors assisted in its construction. The company is multi-talented and accomplishes every task needed to stage a successful production.

The play is set in Manhattan in the 1980s, although its composition in three acts seems much earlier. It reminds one of the farces of the ’30s. The plot is based on complete misunderstanding of every event and conversation, from the secret birthday gift to a scheme to murder.

Gordon’s direction seems a bit heavy-handed, and his actors’ responses are often over the top. Lines that could be more subtle are over-emphasized. Of course, dialogue is only as effective as the playwright’s creativity, and Monk Ferris may have thought his ideas were perfect.

The audience at opening night enjoyed the slapstick humor and responded well to the interpretation of the playwright’s work. Running through May 23, Let’s Murder Marsha may give you an enjoyable theater experience. For ticket information, call (800) 741-2963 or online at www.mainstreetplayersofboonecounty.com.